OBJECTIVETo investigate whether there are abnormal fibroblasts derived from the surrounding skin of keloids so that a more accurate therapy for keloids could be obtained.

METHODSSamples were taken for cell culture. When primary cells fully covered the culture bottle, the shape and distributing characteristics of fibroblasts were observed under the light microscope. 6-8 passage fibroblasts were selected for comparing the proliferating activity by MTT contrasting color method.

RESULTSThe fibroblasts have the same shape in all groups. But the fibroblasts derived from the surrounding skin grow crossly and overlapped just as the fibroblasts from keloids. The proliferating activity of the fibroblasts from surrounding skin is not as high as that from the border of keloids, but is higher than the normal skin fibroblasts derived either from a normal person or a patient with keloid.

CONCLUSIONIt is likely that there are abnormal fibroblasts in the surrounding skin of keloids.